As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ASSESSED VALUATION
The value of a parcel of real property as established by
the Allegheny County Office of Property Assessment or the Court of
Common Pleas of Allegheny County pursuant to the provisions of Articles
209 and 210 of the Allegheny County Administrative Code and the Second
Class County Assessment Law, 72 P.S. § 5452.1, or such other
applicable law or ordinance that shall constitute the proper legal
basis for the assessment and levy of taxes on real property located
in the Borough of Homestead.
DETERIORATED AREA
The specific areas within the Central Business District of
the Borough of Homestead, generally following Eighth Avenue/PA Route
837, as more particularly depicted on the map captioned "Steel Valley
Redevelopment Area," kept on file in the Homestead Borough Manager's
office and attached as Attachment "A" to Resolution 53-08-RE of the
Council of the County of Allegheny, which have been determined to
be physically impaired on the basis of one or more standards, including,
but not limited to, the following:
1.
The buildings, by reason of age, obsolescence, inadequate or
outmoded design, or physical deterioration, have become economic or
social liabilities.
2.
The buildings are substandard, unsanitary, unhealthy, or unsafe.
3.
The buildings are overcrowded, poorly spaced or so lacking in
light, space, and air as to be unwholesome.
4.
The buildings are faultily arranged, cover the land to an excessive
extent, constitute a deleterious use of land, or exhibit any combination
of the above which is detrimental to health, safety, or welfare.
5.
A significant percentage of buildings are more than 40 years
of age.
6.
A substantial amount of unimproved, overgrown, and unsightly
vacant land exists which has remained so for a period of five years
or more, indicating a growing or total lack of utilization of land
for economically desirable purposes.
7.
The area is an "impoverished area" as certified by the Department
of Community and Economic Development under the criteria set forth
in the Act of November 29, 1967, P.L. 636, No. 292, known as the "Neighborhood
Assistance Act," or is a "blighted area" under criteria set forth in the
Act of May 24, 1945, P.L. 991, No. 385, known as the "Urban Redevelopment
Law."
DETERIORATED PROPERTY
Any industrial, commercial, or other business property owned
by a property owner and located in the deteriorated areas, as herein
provided, or any such property which has been the subject of any order
by a government agency requiring the unit to be vacated, condemned,
or demolished by reason of noncompliance with laws, ordinances, or
regulations.
EXEMPTION
The nonliability for the payment of additional real property
taxes to the Borough of Homestead resulting from increased assessed
valuation attributable to the actual cost of improvement(s), as defined
herein, made to deteriorated property within the deteriorated areas
for the period of time set forth in § 24-1003.2 herein.
IMPROVEMENT(S)
Repair, construction, or reconstruction, including alternations
and additions, having the effect of rehabilitating a deteriorated
property so that it becomes habitable or attains higher standards
of safety, health, economic use, or amenity, or is brought into compliance
with laws, ordinances or regulations governing such standards. Ordinary
upkeep and maintenance shall not be deemed an improvement.
PROJECT
The improvement of a deteriorated property carried out during
a single continuous period of time according to a common plan.
PROPERTY OWNER or TAXPAYER
Any natural person, partnership, unincorporated association,
limited liability company, or corporation, nonprofit or otherwise.
RECONSTRUCTION
The rebuilding or renovating of a building or buildings previously
erected for the purpose of changing the economic use or amenity of
such structure or to obtain higher standards of safety or health.
TAX DELINQUENCY
All Homestead Borough taxes, charges, fees, rents, liens
or claims due and unpaid by the owner of the deteriorated property
or assessed against the deteriorated property at the time of an application
for an exemption or at any time thereafter during the term of the
exemption, including all penalties, additions, interest, attorney
fees, and costs due on such delinquent taxes, charges, fees, rents,
liens or claims.
TAX YEAR
The twelve-month period from January 1 to December 31 annually.
This Part shall enter into effect immediately following its
adoption. The provisions of this Part shall apply to all applications
filed from and after the effective date hereof for a period of 10
years from this Part's effective date, unless this Part is otherwise
terminated or amended in accordance with applicable law to expressly,
or by necessary implication, provide otherwise.